Therewerefewbranchesofliteraturetowhichhehadnotpaidsomeattention。Butecclesiasticalantiquitywashisfavouritestudy。InreligiousopinionshebelongedtothatsectionoftheChurchofEnglandwhichliesfurthestfromGenevaandnearesttoRome。HisnotionstouchingEpiscopalgovernment，holyorders，theefficacyofthesacraments，theauthorityoftheFathers，theguiltofschism，theimportanceofvestments，ceremonies，andsolemndays，differedlittlefromthosewhicharenowheldbyDr。
PuseyandMr。Newman。Towardsthecloseofhislife，indeed，ColliertooksomestepswhichbroughthimstillnearertoPopery，mixedwaterwiththewineintheEucharist，madethesignofthecrossinconfirmation，employedoilinthevisitationofthesick，andofferedupprayersforthedead。Hispoliticswereofapiecewithhisdivinity。HewasaToryofthehighestsort，suchasinthecantofhisagewascalledaTantivy。Noteventhepersecutionofthebishopsandthespoliationoftheuniversitiescouldshakehissteadyloyalty。WhiletheConventionwassitting，hewrotewithvehemenceindefenceofthefugitiveking，andwasinconsequencearrested。Buthisdauntlessspiritwasnottobesotamed。Herefusedtotaketheoaths，renouncedallhispreferments，and，inasuccessionofpamphletswrittenwithmuchviolenceandwithsomeability，attemptedtoexcitethenationagainstitsnewmasters。In1692，hewasagainarrestedonsuspicionofhavingbeenconcernedinatreasonableplot。Sounbendingwerehisprinciplesthathisfriendscouldhardlypersuadehimtoletthembailhim;andheafterwardsexpressedhisremorseforhavingbeeninducedthustoacknowledge，byimplication，theauthorityofanusurpinggovernment。Hewassoonintroubleagain。SirJohnFriendandSirWilliamParkins，weretriedandconvictedofhightreasonforplanningthemurderofKingWilliam。Collieradministeredspiritualconsolationtothem，attendedthemtoTyburn，and，justbeforetheywereturnedoff，laidhishandsontheirheads，andbytheauthoritywhichhederivedfromChrist，solemnlyabsolvedthem。Thisscenegaveindescribablescandal。ToriesjoinedwithWhigsinblamingtheconductofthedaringpriest。Someacts，itwassaid，whichfallunderthedefinitionoftreasonaresuchthatagoodmanmay，introubledtimes，beledintothemevenbyhisvirtues。Itmaybenecessaryfortheprotectionofsocietytopunishsuchaman。Buteveninpunishinghimweconsiderhimaslegallyratherthanmorallyguilty，andhopethathishonesterror，thoughitcannotbepardonedhere，willnotbecountedtohimforsinhereafter。
ButsuchwasnotthecaseofCollier’spenitents。Theywereconcernedinaplotforwaylayingandbutchering，inanhourofsecurity，onewho，whetherhewereorwerenottheirking，wasatalleventstheirfellow—creature。WhethertheJacobitetheoryabouttherightsofgovernmentsandthedutiesofsubjectswereorwerenotwellfounded，assassinationmustalwaysbeconsideredasagreatcrime。Itiscondemnedevenbythemaximsofworldlyhonourandmorality。MuchmoremustitbeanobjectofabhorrencetothepureSpouseofChrist。TheChurchcannotsurely，withoutthesaddestandmostmournfulforebodings，seeoneofherchildrenwhohasbeenguiltyofthisgreatwickednesspassintoeternitywithoutanysignofrepentance。Thatthesetraitorshadgivenanysignofrepentancewasnotalleged。Itmightbethattheyhadprivatelydeclaredtheircontrition;and，ifso，theministerofreligionmightbejustifiedinprivatelyassuringthemoftheDivineforgiveness。Butapublicremissionoughttohavebeenprecededbyapublicatonement。Theregretofthesemen，ifexpressedatall，hadbeenexpressedinsecret。ThehandsofCollierhadbeenlaidontheminthepresenceofthousands。
TheinferencewhichhisenemiesdrewfromhisconductwasthathedidnotconsidertheconspiracyagainstthelifeofWilliamassinful。Butthisinferenceheveryvehemently，and，wedoubtnot，verysincerelydenied。
Thestormraged。ThebishopsputforthasolemncensureOftheabsolution。TheAttorney—GeneralbroughtthematterbeforetheCourtofKing’sBench。Collierhadnowmadeuphismindnottogivebailforhisappearancebeforeanycourtwhichderiveditsauthorityfromtheusurper。Heaccordinglyabscondedandwasoutlawed。Hesurvivedtheseeventsaboutthirtyyears。Theprosecutionwasnotpressed;andhewassoonsufferedtoresumehisliterarypursuitsinquiet。Atalaterperiod，manyattemptsweremadetoshakehisperverseintegritybyoffersofwealthanddignity，butinvain。WhenhediedtowardstheendofthereignofGeorgetheFirst，hestillunderthebanofthelaw。
WeshallnotbesuspectedofregardingeitherthepoliticsorthetheologyofCollierwithpartiality;butwebelievehimtohavebeenashonestandcourageousamanaseverlived。Wewillgofurther，andsaythat，thoughpassionateandoftenwrong—headed，hewasasingularlyfaircontroversialist，candid，generous，toohigh—spiritedtotakemeanadvantageseveninthemostexcitingdisputes，andpurefromalltaintofpersonalmalevolence。Itmustalsobeadmittedthathisopinionsonecclesiasticalandpoliticalaffairs，thoughinthemselvesabsurdandpernicious，eminentlyqualifiedhimtobethereformerofourlighterliterature。Thelibertinismofthepressandofthestagewas，aswehavesaid，theeffectofareactionagainstthePuritanstrictness。Profligacywas，liketheoak—leafofthetwenty—ninthofMay，thebadgeofacavalierandaHighChurchman。Decencywasassociatedwithconventiclesandcalves’heads。GraveprelatesweretoomuchdisposedtowinkattheexcessesofabodyofzealousandableallieswhocoveredRoundheadsandPresbyterianswithridicule。IfaWhigraisedhisvoiceagainsttheimpietyandlicentiousnessofthefashionablewriters，hismouthwasinstantlystoppedbytheretort:YouareoneofthosewhogroanatalightquotationfromScripture，andraiseestatesoutoftheplunderoftheChurch，whoshudderatadoubleentendre，andchopofftheheadsofkings。ABaxter，aBurnet，evenaTillotson，wouldhavedonelittletopurifyourliterature。Butwhenamanfanaticalinthecauseofepiscopacyandactuallyunderoutlawryforhisattachmenttohereditaryright，cameforwardasthechampionofdecency，thebattlewasalreadyhalfwon。
In1698，CollierpublishedhisShortViewoftheProfanenessandImmoralityoftheEnglishStage，abookwhichthrewthewholeliteraryworldintocommotion，butwhichisnowmuchlessreadthanitdeserves。Thefaultsofthework，indeed，areneitherfewnorsmall。ThedissertationsontheGreekandLatindramadonotatallhelptheargument，and，whatevermayhavebeenthoughtofthembythegenerationwhichfanciedthatChristChurchhadrefutedBentley，aresuchas，inthepresentday，ascholarofveryhumblepretensionsmayventuretopronounceboyish，orratherbabyish。Thecensuresarenotsufficientlydiscriminating。
TheauthorswhomCollieraccusedhadbeenguiltyofsuchgrosssinsagainstdecencythathewascertaintoweakeninsteadofstrengtheninghiscase，byintroducingintohischargeagainstthemanymatteraboutwhichtherecouldbethesmallestdispute。
Hewas，however，soinjudiciousastoplaceamongtheoutrageousoffenceswhichhejustlyarraigned，somethingswhicharereallyquiteinnocent，andsomeslightinstancesoflevitywhich，thoughnotperhapsstrictlycorrect，couldeasilybeparalleledfromtheworksofwriterswhohadrenderedgreatservicestomoralityandreligion。ThusheblamesCongreve，thenumberandgravityofwhoserealtransgressionsmadeitquiteunnecessarytotaxhimwithanythatwerenotreal，forusingthewords"martyr"and"inspiration"inalightsense;asifanarchbishopmightnotsaythataspeechwasinspiredbyclaretorthatanaldermanwasamartyrtothegout。Sometimes，again，Collierdoesnotsufficientlydistinguishbetweenthedramatistandthepersonsofthedrama。ThusheblamesVanbrughforputtingintoLordFoppington’smouthsomecontemptuousexpressionsrespectingtheChurchservice;thoughitisobviousthatVanbrughcouldnotbetterexpressreverencethanbymakingLordFoppingtonexpresscontempt。ThereisalsothroughouttheShortViewtoostrongadisplayofprofessionalfeeling。Collierisnotcontentwithclaimingforhisorderanimmunityfromindiscriminatescurrility;hewillnotallowthat，inanycase，anywordoractofadivinecanbeapropersubjectforridicule。NordoesheconfinethisbenefitofclergytotheministersoftheEstablishedChurch。HeextendstheprivilegetoCatholicpriests，and，whatinhimismoresurprising，toDissentingpreachers。
This，however，isameretrifle。Imaums，Brahmins，priestsofJupiter，priestsofBaal，arealltobeheldsacred。DrydenisblamedformakingtheMuftiinDonSebastiantalknonsense。LeeiscalledtoasevereaccountforhisincivilitytoTiresias。ButthemostcuriouspassageisthatinwhichCollierresentssomeuncivilreflectionsthrownbyCassandra，inDryden’sCleomenes，onthecalfApisandhishierophants。Thewords"grass—eating，fodderedgod，"wordswhichreallyaremuchinthestyleofseveralpassagesintheOldTestament，giveasmuchoffencetothisChristiandivineastheycouldhavegiventothepriestsofMemphis。
But，whenalldeductionshavebeenmade，greatmeritmustbeallowedtothiswork。Thereishardlyanybookofthattimefromwhichitwouldbepossibletoselectspecimensofwritingsoexcellentandsovarious。TocompareCollierwithPascalwouldindeedbeabsurd。Yetwehardlyknowwhere，exceptintheProvincialLetters，wecanfindmirthsoharmoniouslyandbecominglyblendedwithsolemnityasintheShortView，Intruth，allthemodesofridicule，frombroadfuntopolishedandantitheticalsarcasm，wereatCollier’scommand。Ontheotherhand，hewascompletemasteroftherhetoricofhonestindignation。
Wescarcelyknowanyvolumewhichcontainssomanyburstsofthatpeculiareloquencewhichcomesfromtheheartandgoestotheheart。Indeedthespiritofthebookistrulyheroic。
Inorderfairlytoappreciateit，wemustrememberthesituationinwhichthewriterstood。Hewasunderthefrownofpower。Hisnamewasalreadyamarkfortheinvectivesofonehalfofthewritersoftheage，when，inthecauseofgoodtaste，goodsense，andgoodmorals，hegavebattletotheotherhalf。Strongashispoliticalprejudiceswere，heseemsonthisoccasiontohaveentirelylaidthemaside。HehasforgottenthatheisaJacobite，andremembersonlythatheisacitizenandaChristian。SomeofhissharpestcensuresaredirectedagainstpoetrywhichhadbeenhailedwithdelightbytheToryparty，andhadinflictedadeepwoundontheWhigs。Itisinspiritingtoseehowgallantlythesolitaryoutlawadvancestoattackenemies，formidableseparately，and，itmighthavebeenthought，irresistiblewhencombined，distributeshisswashingblowsrightandleftamongWycherley，Congreve，andVanbrugh，treadsthewretchedD’Urfeydowninthedirtbeneathhisfeet，andstrikeswithallhisstrengthfullatthetoweringcrestofDryden。
TheeffectproducedbytheShortViewwasimmense。ThenationwasonthesideofCollier。Butitcouldnotbedoubtedthat，inthegreathostwhichhehaddefied，somechampionwouldbefoundtoliftthegauntlet。ThegeneralbeliefwasthatDrydenwouldtakethefield;andallthewitsanticipatedasharpcontestbetweentwowell—pairedcombatants。Thegreatpoethadbeensingledoutinthemostmarkedmanner。Itwaswellknownthathewasdeeplyhurt，thatmuchsmallerprovocationshadformerlyrousedhimtoviolentresentment，andthattherewasnoliteraryweapon，offensiveordefensive，ofwhichhewasnotmaster。Buthisconsciencesmotehim;hestoodabashed，likethefallenarchangelattherebukeofZephon，——
"Andfelthowawfulgoodnessis，andsawVirtueinhershapehowlovely;sawandpinedHisloss。"
AtalaterperiodhementionedtheShortViewintheprefacetohisFables。Hecomplained，withsomeasperity，oftheharshnesswithwhichhehadbeentreated，andurgedsomemattersinmitigation。But，onthewhole，hefranklyacknowledgedthathehadbeenjustlyreproved。"If，"saidhe，"Mr。Collierbemyenemy，lethimtriumph。Ifhebemyfriend，asIhavegivenhimnopersonaloccasiontobeotherwise，hewillbegladofmyrepentance。"
ItwouldhavebeenwiseinCongrevetofollowhismaster’sexample。Hewaspreciselyinthatsituationinwhichitismadnesstoattemptavindication;forhisguiltwassoclear，thatnoaddressoreloquencecouldobtainanacquittal。Ontheotherhand，therewereinhiscasemanyextenuatingcircumstanceswhich，ifhehadacknowledgedhiserrorandpromisedamendment，wouldhaveprocuredhispardon。Themostrigidcensorcouldnotbutmakegreatallowancesforthefaultsintowhichsoyoungamanhadbeenseducedbyevilexample，bytheluxurianceofavigorousfancy，andbytheinebriatingeffectofpopularapplause。Theesteem，aswellastheadmiration，ofthepublicwasstillwithinhisreach。Hemighteasilyhaveeffacedallmemoryofhistransgressions，andhavesharedwithAddisonthegloryofshowingthatthemostbrilliantwitmaybetheallyofvirtue。But，inanycase，prudenceshouldhaverestrainedhimfromencounteringCollier。Thenonjurorwasamanthoroughlyfittedbynature，education，andhabit，forpolemicaldispute。
Congreve’smind，thoughamindofnocommonfertilityandvigour，wasofadifferentclass。Nomanunderstoodsowelltheartofpolishingepigramsandreparteesintotheclearesteffulgence，andsettingthemneatlyineasyandfamiliardialogue。Inthissortofjewelleryheattainedtoamasteryunprecedentedandinimitable。Buthewasaltogetherrudeintheartofcontroversy;andhehadacausetodefendwhichscarcelyanyartcouldhaverenderedvictorious。
Theeventwassuchasmighthavebeenforeseen。Congreve’sanswerwasacompletefailure。Hewasangry，obscure，anddull。EventheGreenRoomandWill’sCoffee—Housewerecompelledtoacknowledgethatinwit，aswellasinargument，theparsonhadadecidedadvantageoverthepoet。NotonlywasCongreveunabletomakeanyshowofacasewherehewasinthewrong;buthesucceededinputtinghimselfcompletelyinthewrongwherehewasintheright。CollierhadtaxedhimwithprofanenessforcallingaclergymanMr。Prig，andforintroducingacoachmannamedJehu，inallusiontotheKingofIsrael，whowasknownatadistancebyhisfuriousdriving。HadtherebeennothingworseintheOldBachelorandDoubleDealer，CongrevemightpassforaspureawriterasCowperhimself，who，inpoemsrevisedbysoaustereacensorasJohnNewton，callsafox—huntingsquireNimrod，andgivestoachaplainthedisrespectfulnameofSmug。Congrevemightwithgoodeffecthaveappealedtothepublicwhetheritmightnotbefairlypresumedthat，whensuchfrivolouschargesweremade，therewerenoveryseriouschargestomake。Insteadofdoingthis，hepretendedthathemeantnoallusiontotheBiblebythenameofJehu，andnoreflectionbythenameofPrig。
Strange，thatamanofsuchpartsshould，inordertodefendhimselfagainstimputationswhichnobodycouldregardasimportant，telluntruthswhichitwascertainthatnobodywouldbelieve！
OneofthepleaswhichCongrevesetupforhimselfandhisbrethrenwasthat，thoughtheymightbeguiltyofalittlelevityhereandthere，theywerecarefultoinculcateamoral，packedcloseintotwoorthreelines，attheendofeveryplay。Hadthefactbeenashestatedit，thedefencewouldbeworthverylittle。Fornomanacquaintedwithhumannaturecouldthinkthatasententiouscoupletwouldundoallthemischiefthatfiveprofligateactshaddone。ButitwouldhavebeenwiseinCongrevetohavelookedagainathisowncomediesbeforeheusedthisargument。Collierdidso;andfoundthatthemoraloftheOldBachelor，thegraveapophthegmwhichistobeaset—offagainstallthelibertinismofthepieceiscontainedinthefollowingtriplet:
"Whatruggedwaysattendthenoonoflife！
Oursundeclines，andwithwhatanxiousstrife，Whatpain，wetugthatgallingload——awife。"
"LoveforLove，"saysCollier，"mayhaveasomewhatbetterfarewell，butitwoulddoamanlittleserviceshouldherememberittohisdyingday":
"Themiracleto—dayis，thatwefindAlovertrue，notthatawoman’skind。"
Collier’sreplywassevereandtriumphant。Oneofhisreparteeswewillquote，notasafavourablespecimenofhismanner，butbecauseitwascalledforthbyCongreve’scharacteristicaffectation。ThepoetspokeoftheOldBachelorasatrifletowhichheattachednovalue，andwhichhadbecomepublicbyasortofaccident，"Iwroteit，"hesaid，"toamusemyselfinaslowrecoveryfromafitofsickness。""Whathisdiseasewas，"repliedCollier，"Iamnottoinquire，butitmustbeaveryillonetobeworsethantheremedy。"
AllthatCongrevegainedbycomingforwardonthisoccasion，wasthathecompletelydeprivedhimselfoftheexcusewhichhemightwithjusticehavepleadedforhisearlyoffences。"Why，"askedCollier，"shouldthemanlaughatthemischiefoftheboy，andmakethedisordersofhisnonagehisown，byanafterapprobation？"
CongrevewasnotCollier’sonlyopponent。Vanbrugh，Dennis，andSettletookthefield。Andfromapassageinacontemporarysatire，weareinclinedtothinkthatamongtheanswerstotheShortViewwasonewritten，orsupposedtobewritten，byWycherley。ThevictoryremainedwithCollier。Agreatandrapidreforminalmostallthedepartmentsofourlighterliteraturewastheeffectofhislabours。Anewraceofwitsandpoetsarose，whogenerallytreatedwithreverencethegreattieswhichbindsocietytogether，andwhoseveryindecenciesweredecentwhencomparedwiththoseoftheschoolwhichflourishedduringthelastfortyyearsoftheseventeenthcentury。
ThiscontroversyprobablypreventedCongrevefromfulfillingtheengagementsintowhichhehadenteredwiththeactors。Itwasnottill1700thatheproducedtheWayoftheWorld，themostdeeplymeditatedandthemostbrilliantlywrittenofallhisworks。Itwants，perhaps，theconstantmovement，theeffervescenceofanimalspirits，whichwefindinloveforLove。ButthehystericalrantsofLadyWishfort，themeetingofWitwouldandhisbrother，thecountryknight’scourtshipandhissubsequentrevel，and，aboveall，thechaseandsurrenderofMillamant，aresuperiortoanythingthatistobefoundinthewholerangeofEnglishcomedyfromthecivilwardownwards。Itisquiteinexplicabletousthatthisplayshouldhavefailedonthestage。Yetsoitwas;andtheauthor，alreadysorewiththewoundswhichCollierhadinflicted，wasgalledpastendurancebythisnewstroke。Heresolvedneveragaintoexposehimselftotherudenessofatastelessaudience，andtookleaveofthetheatreforever。
Helivedtwenty—eightyearslonger，withoutaddingtothehighliteraryreputationwhichhehadattained。Hereadmuchwhileheretainedhiseyesight，andnowandthenwroteashortessay，orputanidletaleintoverse;butheappearsnevertohaveplannedanyconsiderablework。Themiscellaneouspieceswhichhepublishedin1710areoflittlevalue，andhavelongbeenforgotten。
Thestockoffamewhichhehadacquiredbyhiscomedieswassufficient，assistedbythegracesofhismannerandconversation，tosecureforhimahighplaceintheestimationoftheworld。Duringthewinter，helivedamongthemostdistinguishedandagreeablepeopleinLondon。Hissummerswerepassedatthesplendidcountry—seatsofministersandpeers。
Literaryenvyandpoliticalfaction，whichinthatagerespectednothingelse，respectedhisrepose。HeprofessedtobeoneofthepartyofwhichhispatronMontagu，nowLordHalifax，wasthehead。Buthehadcivilwordsandsmallgoodofficesformenofeveryshadeofopinion。Andmenofeveryshadeofopinionspokewellofhiminreturn。
Hismeanswereforalongtimescanty。Theplacewhichhehadinpossessionbarelyenabledhimtolivewithcomfort。And，whentheToriescameintopower，somethoughtthathewouldloseeventhismoderateprovision。ButHarley，whowasbynomeansdisposedtoadopttheexterminatingpolicyoftheOctoberclub，andwho，withallhisfaultsofunderstandingandtemper，hadasincerekindnessformenofgenius，reassuredtheanxiouspoetbyquotingverygracefullyandhappilythelinesofVirgil，"NonobtusaadeogestamuspectoraPoeni，NectamaversusequosTyriaSoljungitaburbe。"
TheindulgencewithwhichCongrevewastreatedbytheTorieswasnotpurchasedbyanyconcessiononhispartwhichcouldjustlyoffendtheWhigs。Itwashisraregoodfortunetosharethetriumphofhisfriendswithouthavingsharedtheirproscription。
WhentheHouseofHanovercametothethrone，hepartooklargelyoftheprosperityofthosewithwhomhewasconnected。Thereversiontowhichhehadbeennominatedtwentyyearsbeforefellin。HewasmadesecretarytotheislandofJamaica;andhiswholeincomeamountedtotwelvehundredayear，afortunewhich，forasingleman，wasinthatagenotonlyeasybutsplendid。Hecontinued，however，topractisethefrugalitywhichhehadlearnedwhenhecouldscarcespare，asSwifttellsus，ashillingtopaythechairmanwhocarriedhimtoLordHalifax’s。Thoughhehadnobodytosavefor，helaidupatleastasmuchashespent。
Theinfirmitiesofagecameearlyuponhim。Hishabitshadbeenintemperate;hesufferedmuchfromgout;and，whenconfinedtohischamber，hehadnolongerthesolaceofliterature。
Blindness，themostcruelmisfortunethatcanbefallthelonelystudent，madehisbooksuselesstohim。Hewasthrownonsocietyforallhisamusement;andinsocietyhisgoodbreedingandvivacitymadehimalwayswelcome。
Bytherisingmenoflettershewasconsiderednotasarival，butasaclassic。Hehadlefttheirarena;henevermeasuredhisstrengthwiththem;andhewasalwaysloudinapplauseoftheirexertions。Theycould，therefore，entertainnojealousyofhimandthoughtnomoreofdetractingfromhisfamethanofcarpingatthegreatmenwhohadbeenlyingahundredyearsinPoets’
Corner。EventheinmatesofGrubStreet，eventheheroesoftheDunciad，wereforoncejusttolivingmerit。TherecanbenostrongerillustrationoftheestimationinwhichCongrevewasheldthanthefactthattheEnglishIliad，aworkwhichappearedwithmoresplendidauspicesthananyotherinourlanguage，wasdedicatedtohim。Therewasnotadukeinthekingdomwhowouldnothavebeenproudofsuchacompliment。Dr。JohnsonexpressesgreatadmirationfortheindependenceofspiritwhichPopeshowedonthisoccasion。"HepassedoverpeersandstatesmentoinscribehisIliadtoCongreve，withamagnanimityofwhichthepraisehadbeencomplete，hadhisfriend’svirtuebeenequaltohiswit。Whyhewaschosenforsogreatanhonour，itisnotnowpossibletoknow。"Itiscertainlyimpossibletoknow;yetwethinkitispossibletoguess。ThetranslationoftheIliadhadbeenzealouslybefriendedbymenofallpoliticalopinions。Thepoetwho，atanearlyage，hadbeenraisedtoaffluencebytheemulousliberalityofWhigsandTories，couldnotwithproprietyinscribetoachiefofeitherpartyaworkwhichhadbeenmunificentlypatronisedbyboth。Itwasnecessarytofindsomepersonwhowasatonceeminentandneutral。Itwasthereforenecessarytopassoverpeersandstatesmen。Congrevehadahighnameinletters。
Hehadahighnameinaristocraticcircles。Helivedontermsofcivilitywithmenofallparties。Byacourtesypaidtohim，neithertheMinistersnortheleadersoftheOppositioncouldbeoffended。
ThesingularaffectationwhichhadfromthefirstbeencharacteristicofCongrevegrewstrongerandstrongerasheadvancedinlife。Atlastitbecamedisagreeabletohimtohearhisowncomediespraised。Voltaire，whosesoulwasburnedupbytheragingdesireforliteraryrenown，washalfpuzzledandhalfdisgustedbywhathesaw，duringhisvisittoEngland，ofthisextraordinarywhim。Congrevedisclaimedthecharacterofapoet，declaredthathisplaysweretriflesproducedinanidlehour，andbeggedthatVoltairewouldconsiderhimmerelyasagentleman。"Ifyouhadbeenmerelyagentleman，"saidVoltaire，"Ishouldnothavecometoseeyou。"
Congrevewasnotamanofwarmaffections。Domestictieshehadnone;andinthetemporaryconnectionswhichheformedwithasuccessionofbeautiesfromthegreen—roomhisheartdoesnotappeartohavebeeninterested。OfallhisattachmentsthattoMrs。Bracegirdlelastedthelongestandwasthemostcelebrated。
Thischarmingactress，whowas，duringmanyyears，theidolofallLondon，whosefacecausedthefatalbroilinwhichMountfortfell，andforwhichLordMohunwastriedbythePeers，andtowhomtheEarlofScarsdalewassaidtohavemadehonourableaddresses，hadconductedherself，inverytryingcircumstances，withextraordinarydiscretion。Congreveatlengthbecameherconfidentialfriend。Theyconstantlyrodeouttogetheranddinedtogether。Somepeoplesaidthatshewashismistress，andothersthatshewouldsoonbehiswife。Hewasatlastdrawnawayfromherbytheinfluenceofawealthierandhaughtierbeauty。
Henrietta，daughterofthegreatMarlborough，andCountessofGodolphin，had，onherfather’sdeath，succeededtohisdukedom，andtothegreaterpartofhisimmenseproperty。Herhusbandwasaninsignificantman，ofwhomLordChesterfieldsaidthathecametotheHouseofPeersonlytosleep，andthathemightaswellsleepontherightasontheleftofthewoolsack。BetweentheDuchessandCongrevesprangupamosteccentricfriendship。Hehadaseateverydayathertable，andassistedinthedirectionofherconcerts。Thatmalignantoldbeldame，theDowagerDuchessSarah，whohadquarrelledwithherdaughterasshehadquarrelledwitheverybodyelse，affectedtosuspectthattherewassomethingwrong。Buttheworldingeneralappearstohavethoughtthatagreatladymight，withoutanyimputationonhercharacter，paymarkedattentiontoamanofeminentgeniuswhowasnearsixtyyearsold，whowasstillolderinappearanceandinconstitution，whowasconfinedtohischairbygout，andwhowasunabletoreadfromblindness。
Inthesummerof1728，CongrevewasorderedtotrytheBathwaters。Duringhisexcursionhewasoverturnedinhischariot，andreceivedsomesevereinternalinjuryfromwhichheneverrecovered。HecamebacktoLondoninadangerousstate，complainedconstantlyofapaininhisside，andcontinuedtosink，tillinthefollowingJanuaryheexpired。
Helefttenthousandpounds，savedoutoftheemolumentsofhislucrativeplaces。JohnsonsaysthatthismoneyoughttohavegonetotheCongrevefamily，whichwastheningreatdistress。DoctorYoungandMr。LeighHunt，twogentlemenwhoseldomagreewitheachother，butwithwhom，onthisoccasion，wearehappytoagree，thinkthatitoughttohavegonetoMrs。Bracegirdle。
CongrevebequeathedtwohundredpoundstoMrs。Bracegirdle，andanequalsumtoacertainMrs。Jellat;butthebulkofhisaccumulationswenttotheDuchessofMarlborough，inwhoseimmensewealthsuchalegacywasasadropinthebucket。ItmighthaveraisedthefallenfortunesofaStaffordshiresquire;
itmighthaveenabledaretiredactresstoenjoyeverycomfort，and，inhersense，everyluxury:butitwashardlysufficienttodefraytheDuchess’sestablishmentforthreemonths。
Thegreatladyburiedherfriendwithapompseldomseenatthefuneralsofpoets。ThecorpselayinstateundertheancientroofoftheJerusalemChamber，andwasinterredinWestminsterAbbey。
ThepallwasbornebytheDukeofBridgewater，LordCobham，theEarlofWilmington，whohadbeenSpeaker，andwasafterwardsFirstLordoftheTreasury，andothermenofhighconsideration。
HerGracelaidoutherfriend’sbequestinasuperbdiamondnecklace，whichsheworeinhonourofhim，and，ifreportistobebelieved，showedherregardinwaysmuchmoreextraordinary。
Itissaidthatastatueofhiminivory，whichmovedbyclockwork，wasplaceddailyathertable，andthatshehadawaxdollmadeinimitationofhim，andthatthefeetofthedollwereregularlyblisteredandanointedbythedoctors，aspoorCongreve’sfeethadbeenwhenhesufferedfromthegout。A
monumentwaserectedtothepoetinWestminsterAbbey，withaninscriptionwrittenbytheDuchess;andLordCobham，honouredhimwithacenotaph，whichseemstous，thoughthatisaboldword，theugliestandmostabsurdofthebuildingsatStowe。
WehavesaidthatWycherleywasaworseCongreve。Therewas，indeed，aremarkableanalogybetweenthewritingsandlivesofthesetwomen。Bothweregentlemenliberallyeducated。Bothledtownlives，andknewhumannatureonlyasitappearsbetweenHydeParkandtheTower。Bothweremenofwit。Neitherhadmuchimagination。Bothatanearlyageproducedlivelyandprofligatecomedies。Bothretiredfromthefieldwhilestillinearlymanhood，andowedtotheiryouthfulachievementsinliteraturewhateverconsiderationtheyenjoyedinlaterlife。Both，aftertheyhadceasedtowriteforthestage，publishedvolumesofmiscellanieswhichdidlittlecrediteithertotheirtalentsortotheirmorals。Both，duringtheirdecliningyears，hunglooseuponsociety;andboth，intheirlastmoments，madeeccentricandunjustifiabledispositionsoftheirestates。
ButineverypointCongrevemaintainedhissuperioritytoWycherley。Wycherleyhadwit;butthewitofCongrevefaroutshinesthatofeverycomicwriter，exceptSheridan，whohaswithinthelasttwocenturies。Congrevehadnot，in，alargemeasure，thepoeticalfaculty;butcomparedwithWycherleyhemightbecalledagreatpoet。Wycherleyhadsomeknowledgeofbooks;butCongrevewasamanofreallearning。
Congreve’soffencesagainstdecorum，thoughhighlyculpable，werenotsogrossasthoseofWycherley;nordidCongreve，likeWycherley，exhibittotheworldthedeplorablespectacleofalicentiousdotage。Congrevediedintheenjoymentofhighconsideration;Wycherleyforgottenordespised。Congreve’swillwasabsurdandcapricious;butWycherley’slastactionsappeartohavebeenpromptedbyobduratemalignity。
Here，atleastforthepresent，wemuststop。VanbrughandFarquhararenotmentobehastilydismissed，andwehavenotleftourselvesspacetodothemjustice。
THELIFEANDWRITINGSOFADDISON
（July1843）
TheLifeofJosephAddison。BYLUCYAIKIN。2vols。8vo。London:
1843。
SOMEreviewersareofopinionthataladywhodarestopublishabookrenouncesbythatactthefranchisesappertainingtohersex，andcanclaimnoexemptionfromtheutmostrigourofcriticalprocedure。Fromthatopinionwedissent。Weadmit，indeed，thatinacountrywhichboastsofmanyfemalewriters，eminentlyqualifiedbytheirtalentsandacquirementstoinfluencethepublicmind，itwouldbeofmostperniciousconsequencethatinaccuratehistoryorunsoundphilosophyshouldbesufferedtopassuncensured，merelybecausetheoffenderchancedtobealady。Butweconceivethat，onsuchoccasions，acriticwoulddowelltoimitatethecourteousKnightwhofoundhimselfcompelledbydutytokeepthelistsagainstBradamante。
He，wearetold，defendedsuccessfullythecauseofwhichhewasthechampion;but，beforethefightbegan，exchangedBalisardaforalessdeadlysword，ofwhichhecarefullybluntedthepointandedge。[OrlandoFurioso，xiv。68。]
NoraretheimmunitiesofsextheonlyimmunitieswhichMissAikinmayrightfullyplead。Severalofherworks，andespeciallytheverypleasingMemoirsoftheReignofJamestheFirsthavefullyentitledhertotheprivilegesenjoyedbygoodwriters。Oneofthoseprivilegesweholdtobethis，thatsuchwriters，when，eitherfromtheunluckychoiceofasubject，orfromtheindolencetoooftenproducedbysuccess，theyhappentofail，shallnotbesubjectedtotheseveredisciplinewhichitissometimesnecessarytoinflictuponduncesandimpostors，butshallmerelyberemindedbyagentletouch，likethatwhichtheLaputanflapperrousedhisdreaminglord，thatitishightimetowake。
OurreaderswillprobablyinferfromwhatwehavesaidthatMissAikin’sbookhasdisappointedus。Thetruthis，thatsheisnotwellacquaintedwithhersubject。NopersonwhoisnotfamiliarwiththepoliticalandliteraryhistoryofEnglandduringthereignsofWilliamtheThird，ofAnne，andofGeorgetheFirst，canpossiblywriteagoodlifeofAddison。
Now，wemeannoreproachtoMissAikin，andmanywillthinkthatwepayheracompliment，whenwesaythatherstudieshavetakenadifferentdirection。SheisbetteracquaintedwithShakspeareandRaleigh，thanwithCongreveandPrior;andisfarmoreathomeamongtheruffsandpeakedbeardsofTheobaldsthanamongtheSteenkirksandflowingperiwigswhichsurroundedQueenAnne’stea—tableatHampton。SheseemstohavewrittenabouttheElizabethanage，becauseshehadreadmuchaboutit;sheseems，ontheotherhand，tohavereadalittleabouttheageofAddison，becauseshehaddeterminedtowriteaboutit。Theconsequenceisthatshehashadtodescribemenandthingswithouthavingeitheracorrectoravividideaofthem，andthatshehasoftenfallenintoerrorsofaveryseriouskind。ThereputationwhichMissAikinhasjustlyearnedstandssohigh，andthecharmofAddison’slettersissogreat，thatasecondeditionofthisworkmayprobablyberequired。Ifso，wehopethateveryparagraphwillberevised，andthateverydateandfactaboutwhichtherecanbethesmallestdoubtwillbecarefullyverified。
ToAddisonhimselfweareboundbyasentimentasmuchlikeaffectionasanysentimentcanbewhichisinspiredbyonewhohasbeensleepingahundredandtwentyyearsinWestminsterAbbey。Wetrust，however，thatthisfeelingwillnotbetrayusintothatabjectidolatrywhichwehaveoftenhadoccasiontoreprehendinothers，andwhichseldomfailstomakeboththeidolaterandtheidolridiculous。Amanofgeniusandvirtueisbutaman。Allhispowerscannotbeequallydeveloped;norcanweexpectfromhimperfectself—knowledge。Weneednot，therefore，hesitatetoadmitthatAddisonhasleftussomecompositionswhichdonotriseabovemediocrity，someheroicpoemshardlyequaltoParnell’s，somecriticismassuperficialasDr。Blair’s，andatragedynotverymuchbetterthanDr。Johnson’s。Itispraiseenoughtosayofawriterthat，inahighdepartmentofliterature，inwhichmanyeminentwritershavedistinguishedthemselves，hehashadnoequal;andthismaywithstrictjusticebesaidofAddison。
Asaman，hemaynothavedeservedtheadorationwhichhereceivedfromthosewho，bewitchedbyhisfascinatingsociety，andindebtedforallthecomfortsoflifetohisgenerousanddelicatefriendship，worshippedhimnightly，inhisfavouritetempleatButton’s。But，afterfullinquiryandimpartialreflection，wehavelongbeenconvincedthathedeservedasmuchloveandesteemascanbejustlyclaimedbyanyofourinfirmanderringrace。Someblemishesmayundoubtedlybedetectedinhischaracter;butthemorecarefullyitisexamined，themorewillitappear，tousethephraseoftheoldanatomists，soundinthenobleparts，freefromalltaintofperfidy，ofcowardice，ofcruelty，ofingratitude，ofenvy。Menmayeasilybenamed，inwhomsomeparticulargooddispositionhasbeenmoreconspicuousthaninAddison。Butthejustharmonyofqualities，theexacttemperbetweenthesternandthehumanevirtues，thehabitualobservanceofeverylaw，notonlyofmoralrectitude，butofmoralgraceanddignity，distinguishhimfromallmenwhohavebeentriedbyequallystrongtemptations，andaboutwhoseconductwepossessequallyfullinformation。
HisfatherwastheReverendLancelotAddison，who，thougheclipsedbyhismorecelebratedson，madesomefigureintheworld，andoccupieswithcredit，twofoliopagesintheBiographiaBritannica。Lancelotwassentup，asapoorscholar，fromWestmorelandtoQueen’sCollege，Oxford，inthetimeoftheCommonwealth，madesomeprogressinlearning，became，likemostofhisfellow—students，aviolentRoyalist，lampoonedtheheadsoftheUniversity，andwasforcedtoaskpardononhisbendedknees。Whenhehadleftcollege，heearnedahumblesubsistencebyreadingtheliturgyofthefallenChurchtothefamiliesofthosesturdysquireswhosemanor—houseswerescatteredovertheWildofSussex。AftertheRestoration，hisloyaltywasrewardedwiththepostofchaplaintothegarrisonofDunkirk。WhenDunkirkwassoldtoFrance，helosthisemployment。ButTangierhadbeencededbyPortugaltoEnglandaspartofthemarriageportionoftheInfantaCatherine;andtoTangierLancelotAddisonwassent。Amoremiserablesituationcanhardlybeconceived。Itwasdifficulttosaywhethertheunfortunatesettlersweremoretormentedbytheheatsorbytherains，bythesoldierswithinthewallorbytheMoorswithoutit。Oneadvantagethechaplainhad。HeenjoyedanexcellentopportunityofstudyingthehistoryandmannersofJewsandMahometansandofthisopportunityheappearstohavemadeexcellentuse。OnhisreturntoEngland，aftersomeyearsofbanishment，hepublishedaninterestingvolumeonthePolityandReligionofBarbary，andanotherontheHebrewCustomsandtheStateofRabbinicalLearning。Herosetoeminenceinhisprofession，andbecameoneoftheroyalchaplains，aDoctorofDivinity，ArchdeaconofSalisbury，andDeanofLichfield。ItissaidthathewouldhavebeenmadeabishopaftertheRevolution，ifhehadnotgivenoffencetotheGovernmentbystrenuouslyopposing，intheConvocationof1689，theliberalpolicyofWilliamandTillotson。
In1672，notlongafterDr。Addison’sreturnfromTangier，hissonJosephwasborn。OfJoseph’schildhoodweknowlittle。Helearnedhisrudimentsatschoolinhisfather’sneighbourhood，andwasthensenttotheCharterHouse。Theanecdoteswhicharepopularlyrelatedabouthisboyishtricksdonotharmoniseverywellwithwhatweknowofhisriperyears。Thereremainsatraditionthathewastheringleaderinabarringout，andanothertraditionthatheranawayfromschoolandhidhimselfinawood，wherehefedonberriesandsleptinahollowtree，tillafteralongsearchhewasdiscoveredandbroughthome。Ifthesestoriesbetrue，itwouldbecurioustoknowbywhatmoraldisciplinesomutinousandenterprisingaladwastransformedintothegentlestandmostmodestofmen。
Wehaveabundantproofthat，whateverJoseph’spranksmayhavebeen，hepursuedhisstudiesvigorouslyandsuccessfully。Atfifteenhewasnotonlyfitfortheuniversity，butcarriedthitheraclassicaltasteandastockoflearningwhichwouldhavedonehonourtoaMasterofArts。HewasenteredatQueen’sCollege，Oxford;buthehadnotbeenmanymonthsthere，whensomeofhisLatinversesfellbyaccidentintothehandsofDr。
Lancaster，DeanofMagdalenCollege。Theyoungscholar’sdictionandversificationwerealreadysuchasveteranprofessorsmightenvy。Dr。Lancasterwasdesiroustoserveaboyofsuchpromise;
norwasanopportunitylongwanting。TheRevolutionhadjusttakenplace;andnowherehaditbeenhailedwithmoredelightthanatMagdalenCollege。ThatgreatandopulentcorporationhadbeentreatedbyJames，andbyhisChancellor，withaninsolenceandinjusticewhich，eveninsuchaPrinceandinsuchaMinister，mayjustlyexciteamazement，andwhichhaddonemorethaneventheprosecutionoftheBishopstoalienatetheChurchofEnglandfromthethrone。Apresident，dulyelected，hadbeenviolentlyexpelledfromhisdwelling:aPapisthadbeensetoverthesocietybyaroyalmandate:theFellowswho，inconformitywiththeiroaths，hadrefusedtosubmittothisusurper，hadbeendrivenforthfromtheirquietcloistersandgardens，todieofwantortoliveoncharity。Butthedayofredressandretributionspeedilycame。Theintruderswereejected:thevenerableHousewasagaininhabitedbyitsoldinmates:learningflourishedundertheruleofthewiseandvirtuousHough;andwithlearningwasunitedamildandliberalspirittoooftenwantingintheprincelycollegesofOxford。Inconsequenceofthetroublesthroughwhichthesocietyhadpassed，therehadbeennovalidelectionofnewmembersduringtheyear1688。In1689，therefore，therewastwicetheordinarynumberofvacancies;andthusDr。LancasterfounditeasytoprocureforhisyoungfriendadmittancetotheadvantagesofafoundationthengenerallyesteemedthewealthiestinEurope。
AtMagdalenAddisonresidedduringtenyears。Hewas，atfirst，oneofthosescholarswhowerecalledDemies，butwassubsequentlyelectedaFellow。Hiscollegeisstillproudofhisname:hisportraitstillhangsinthehall;andstrangersarestilltoldthathisfavouritewalkwasundertheelmswhichfringethemeadowonthebanksoftheCherwell。Itissaid，andishighlyprobable，thathewasdistinguishedamonghisfellow—
studentsbythedelicacyofhisfeelings，bytheshynessofhismanners，andbytheassiduitywithwhichheoftenprolongedhisstudiesfarintothenight。Itiscertainthathisreputationforabilityandlearningstoodhigh。Manyyearslater，theancientdoctorsofMagdalencontinuedtotalkintheircommonroomofhisboyishcompositions，andexpressedtheirsorrowthatnocopyofexercisessoremarkablehadbeenpreserved。
Itisproper，however，toremarkthatMissAikinhascommittedtheerror，verypardonableinalady，ofoverratingAddison’sclassicalattainments。Inonedepartmentoflearning，indeed，hisproficiencywassuchasitishardlypossibletooverrate。HisknowledgeoftheLatinpoets，fromLucretiusandCatullusdowntoClaudianandPrudentius，wassingularlyexactandprofound。Heunderstoodthemthoroughly，enteredintotheirspirit，andhadthefinestandmostdiscriminatingperceptionofalltheirpeculiaritiesofstyleandmelody;nay，hecopiedtheirmannerwithadmirableskill，andsurpassed，wethink，alltheirBritishimitatorswhohadprecededhim，BuchananandMiltonaloneexcepted。Thisishighpraise;andbeyondthiswecannotwithjusticego。ItisclearthatAddison’sseriousattentionduringhisresidenceattheuniversity，wasalmostentirelyconcentratedonLatinpoetry，andthat，ifhedidnotwhollyneglectotherprovincesofancientliterature，hevouchsafedtothemonlyacursoryglance。HedoesnotappeartohaveattainedmorethananordinaryacquaintancewiththepoliticalandmoralwritersofRome;norwashisownLatinprosebyanymeansequaltohisLatinVerse。HisknowledgeofGreek，thoughdoubtlesssuchaswas，inhistime，thoughtrespectableatOxford，wasevidentlylessthanthatwhichmanyladsnowcarryawayeveryyearfromEtonandRugby。Aminuteexaminationofhisworks，ifwehadtimetomakesuchanexamination，wouldfullybearouttheseremarks。Wewillbrieflyadverttoafewofthefactsonwhichourjudgmentisgrounded。
GreatpraiseisduetotheNoteswhichAddisonappendedtohisversionofthesecondandthirdbooksoftheMetamorphoses。Yetthosenotes，whiletheyshowhimtohavebeen，inhisowndomain，anaccomplishedscholar，showalsohowconfinedthatdomainwas。
TheyarerichinappositereferencestoVirgil，Statius，andClaudian;buttheycontainnotasingleillustrationdrawnfromtheGreekpoets。Now，if，inthewholecompassofLatinliterature，therebeapassagewhichstandsinneedofillustrationdrawnfromtheGreekpoets，itisthestoryofPentheusinthethirdbookoftheMetamorphoses。OvidwasindebtedforthatstorytoEuripidesandTheocritus，bothofwhomhehassometimesfollowedminutely。ButneithertoEuripidesnortoTheocritusdoesAddisonmakethefaintestallusion;andwe，therefore，believethatwedonotwronghimbysupposingthathehadlittleornoknowledgeoftheirworks。
HistravelsinItaly，again，aboundwithclassicalquotationshappilyintroduced;butscarcelyoneofthosequotationsisinprose。HedrawsmoreillustrationsfromAusoniusandManiliusthanfromCicero。EvenhisnotionsofthepoliticalandmilitaryaffairsoftheRomansseemtobederivedfrompoetsandpoetasters。Spotsmadememorablebyeventswhichhavechangedthedestiniesoftheworld，andwhichhavebeenworthilyrecordedbygreathistorians，bringtohismindonlyscrapsofsomeancientversifier。InthegorgeoftheApennineshenaturallyremembersthehardshipswhichHannibal’sarmyendured，andproceedstocite，nottheauthenticnarrativeofPolybius，notthepicturesquenarrativeofLivy，butthelanguidhexametersofSiliusItalicus。OnthebanksoftheRubiconheneverthinksofPlutarch’slivelydescription，orofthesternconcisenessoftheCommentaries，orofthoseletterstoAtticuswhichsoforciblyexpressthealternationsofhopeandfearinasensitivemindatagreatcrisis。HisonlyauthorityfortheeventsofthecivilwarisLucan。
AllthebestancientworksofartatRomeandFlorenceareGreek。
Addisonsawthem，however，withoutrecallingonesingleverseofPindar，ofCallimachus，oroftheAtticdramatists;buttheybroughttohisrecollectioninnumerablepassagesofHorace，Juvenal，Statius，andOvid。
ThesamemaybesaidoftheTreatiseonMedals。InthatpleasingworkwefindaboutthreehundredpassagesextractedwithgreatjudgmentfromtheRomanpoets;butwedonotrecollectasinglepassagetakenfromanyRomanoratororhistorian;andweareconfidentthatnotalineisquotedfromanyGreekwriter。Noperson，whohadderivedallhisinformationonthesubjectofmedalsfromAddison，wouldsuspectthattheGreekcoinswereinhistoricalinterestequal，andinbeautyofexecutionfarsuperiortothoseofRome。
IfitwerenecessarytofindanyfurtherproofthatAddison’sclassicalknowledgewasconfinedwithinnarrowlimits，thatproofwouldbefurnishedbyhisEssayontheEvidencesofChristianity。
TheRomanpoetsthrowlittleornolightontheliteraryandhistoricalquestionswhichheisunderthenecessityofexamininginthatEssay。Heis，therefore，leftcompletelyinthedark;anditismelancholytoseehowhelplesslyhegropeshiswayfromblundertoblunder。Heassigns，asgroundsforhisreligiousbelief，storiesasabsurdasthatoftheCock—Laneghost，andforgeriesasrankasIreland’sVortigern，putsfaithinthelieabouttheThunderingLegion，isconvincedthatTiberiusmovedthesenatetoadmitJesusamongthegods，andpronouncestheletterofAbgarusKingofEdessatobearecordofgreatauthority。Norweretheseerrorstheeffectsofsuperstition;fortosuperstitionAddisonwasbynomeansprone。Thetruthisthathewaswritingaboutwhathedidnotunderstand。
MissAikinhasdiscoveredaletter，fromwhichitappearsthat，whileAddisonresidedatOxford，hewasoneofseveralwriterswhomthebooksellersengagedtomakeanEnglishversionofHerodotus;andsheinfersthathemusthavebeenagoodGreekscholar。Wecanallowverylittleweighttothisargument，whenweconsiderthathisfellow—labourersweretohavebeenBoyleandBlackmore。BoyleisrememberedchieflyasthenominalauthoroftheworstbookonGreekhistoryandphilologythateverwasprinted;andthisbook，badasitis，Boylewasunabletoproducewithouthelp。OfBlackmore’sattainmentsintheancienttongues，itmaybesufficienttosaythat，inhisprose，hehasconfoundedanaphorismwithanapophthegm，andthatwhen，inhisverse，hetreatsofclassicalsubjects，hishabitistoregalehisreaderswithfourfalsequantitiestoapage。
ItisprobablethattheclassicalacquirementsofAddisonwereofasmuchservicetohimasiftheyhadbeenmoreextensive。Theworldgenerallygivesitsadmiration，nottothemanwhodoeswhatnobodyelseevenattemptstodo，buttothemanwhodoesbestwhatmultitudesdowell。Bentleywassoimmeasurablysuperiortoalltheotherscholarsofhistimethatfewamongthemcoulddiscoverhissuperiority。ButtheaccomplishmentinwhichAddisonexcelledhiscontemporarieswasthen，asitisnow，highlyvaluedandassiduouslycultivatedatallEnglishseatsoflearning。EverybodywhohadbeenatapublicschoolhadwrittenLatinverses;manyhadwrittensuchverseswithtolerablesuccess，andwerequiteabletoappreciate，thoughbynomeansabletorival，theskillwithwhichAddisonimitatedVirgil。HislinesontheBarometerandtheBowlingGreenwereapplaudedbyhundreds，towhomtheDissertationontheEpistlesofPhalariswasasunintelligibleasthehieroglyphicsonanobelisk。